Junebug

In an attempt to woo an artist to her gallery, art dealer Madeline and her husband go to North Carolina. While she tries to seal the deal, her husband introduces her to his family. Madeline's presence reveals family tensions and resentment.

Really liked this movie.
All the characters come across very natural. The acting and direction are top notch. Slow pacing mirrors the gradual development of the important relationship between place and character. This film is like peeking through the curtains of a family's kitchen window and learning all their foibles and challenges. A few needless sexual scenes (seems films NEED this these days??) but the majority of the film is an exploration of the emotional side of human relationships. Amy Adams, as usual, is brilliant, and shines as the optimistic young expectant mother.

What defines family? Here a group of disconnected people slide in and out of roles both framed by family responsibilities and expectations and beyond that strict mold.

The new wife of the much loved star oldest son is a break with the traditional views and values of this small town group. She arrives with her own priorities, connected to her career as a gallery owner.

Amy Adams is the star of this ensemble, she is a bubbly charmer, always embracing the possibilities and that includes a bounty of welcome for her new sister-in-law.

Junebug is a classic "independent" film; odd, confusing at times, lacking the traditional Hollywood style and far deeper emotionally than traditional films from America. This was supposed to be the film that shot off Amy Adams's career, and rightly so; she delivers spectacular highs and lows. My only qualm with this film was the fact that it took a while to really get going and left a few things unanswered.